Quote:
Originally Posted by PR-Giants
I wouldn't associate the symptoms you described with a nematode problem and nematodes would cause a gradual decline in the plants' health possibly resulting with a lower than expected yield. I've seen many nematode problems and they were always associated with poor cultural practices.
How did you confirm that you had a nematode problem?
|
I took a corm from a potted plant that was doing poorly and was in very well draining soil, to my county Agricultural Extension Agent. He examined a sample of tissue under a microscope and saw and showed me the nematodes. I did this because I easily grew other banana types, with no problems at all. I could not figure out why my AeAe plants would always begin to fail after growing strong for some time. They would suddenly deteriorate and I could not stop it. I had tried everything grow wise and nothing worked. After seeing the nematodes I gave all my remaining plants a hot water bath and potted them in a sterile mix. They all recovered and grew well. Even then I eventually lost them all, over some years to various problems. I now am trying again, with AeAe and Florida and so far so good. I have them potted in a very well draining mix, as you suggest, because I also think that even though I had used well draining mixes before, they did not drain as well as your mix. I am also keeping them off the ground at least until I get backup offsets.